Doyle James, age 94 of Lowell Township, passed away at home on December 7, 2022. He is survived by his with of 54 years, Geri James; children, Kimberly James of Detroit, David James and Jeremy James of Lowell, Dante James of Dayton, OH, Rosalind Harris of Denver, CO, Muriel James of Grand Rapids, Robin James of Columbus, OH, Joe Lewis and Dorothe Rhodes Lee of Grand Rapids; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren including, Jeremy W. and Genesis James of Lowell, Stephen Chennault of Detroit, Taylor Rottman of Hudsonville, and Makayla McCloskey of San Antonio, TX; and not to be forgotten his cat, Boots, who was his faithful companion his last few months.
Doyle retired from GM Diesel in 1990 after 40 years of service. He worked in skilled trades as a millwright. He was very active in the UAW Local 167, serving as a B shift committee man and other positions. Always a firm believer in workers rights and civil rights, Doyle served as president of the Grand Rapids Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute from 1985-1990.
After he retired, he was a long-time volunteer at Gods Kitchen and occasionally helped driving for Meals on Wheels. He organized two golf outings as fundraisers for Gods Kitchen. Doyle loved sports, especially baseball and had a ticket package to the White Caps for many years. He loved taking friends and family to the ballpark.
Doyle coached many little league teams including Thornapple Valley Baseball League and his beloved McInerney team for the Southwest Little League. He also umpired for different youth organizations, and coached football for numerous youth teams. Later, he coached softball and volunteered for the Special Olympics including helping at the state games in Mount Pleasant.
Doyle was a friend to everyone he met and was generous with his time, always ready to help in any way that he could. A life well lived.
Many thanks to Faith Hospice for their loving care, especially Rita, Karis, Sarah, and Chaplain Mike. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics, 1133 19th St. NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036-3604, or Gods Kitchen, 303 Division Ave. South, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, or Faith Hospice, 2100 Raybrook St. SE #300, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Cremation has taken place and a memorial/celebration is planned in the spring.